ECOTIC and GreenWEEE, with the support of APDETIC, the IT Informal School and Ateliere fara Frontiere, launched the IT donations campaign "Enter the Circle of Solidarity! on June 5. Considering the environmental benefits of reusing IT equipment, the campaign gives an opportunity to those who want to be part of this global movement by donating IT equipment that will be prepared for reuse and then donated to disadvantaged communities.
The Covid ‑ 19 pandemic as well as the measures taken by Romanian authorities to put an end to it have highlighted, on the one hand, the importance of protecting the environment, and, on the other hand, the need for digitalization in Romania’s disadvantaged communities . Moving educational activities in the online underlined the increasing number of students from disadvantaged communities who do not benefit from IT equipment. An IRES study conducted between April 27-30 at national level showed that 32% of students in Romania do not have access to electronic equipment[1].
”We have initiated this campaign to collect and donate IT equipment in the context of intesifying online education caused by the pandemic and reduced access to technology in many rural communities. Thus, many computers, after refurbishing, will gain a new life through their use by schools, placement centers or NGOs. ” Valentin Negoiță, President of ECOTIC declared.
"The context we are going through requires a more responsible way of managing the products and materials we use. In the case of used electronic devices, re-use presents a challenge and an opportunity to reduce the "digital divide" and to offer tested devices to people who need them. As a recycler, we support the extension of the life of devices, our goal being to conserve natural resources and protect the environment," Marius Costache, General Manager of GreenWEEE, explained.
At its fourth edition, the campaign runs from 5th of June to 20th of October 2020, targeting large and small companies which are invited to donate otherwise discarded IT equipment and thus actively contribute to the digitalization of beneficiaries from disadvantaged areas. Given the growing need for digitalization, this year the organization estimates the donation of several hundred IT equipment. These will be prepared for reuse by Ateliere fara Frontiere Association and will then be donated.
Donations of IT equipment from previous editions have reached both schools in rural areas and NGOs working with vulnerable communities. Thus, we mention some of the beneficiaries: Constantin Langa Secondary School from Miroslava, Iași county, Gheorghe Vrânceanu National College from Bacău, Mihai Eminescu Secondary School from Lipova, Bacău county, Feldru School Group from Bistrița Năsăud county, SOS Childrens's Villages, Mia's Children and MagiCamp.
Enter the Circle of Solidarity! is part of the national information campaign "Be in your country as well as abroad", organized by ECOTIC in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests. Its purpose is to contribute to the awareness of the Romanian public regarding the correct behavior towards a particular type of waste: WEEE – waste electrical and electronic equipment. Details about the campaign on fiiintara.ecotic.ro
[1] https://romania.europalibera.org/a/ires-jum%C4%83tate-dintre-elevi-nu-au-participat-la-%C8%99coala-online-32-nu-au-acces-la-echipament-electronic/30601273.html